[enelms]

I have a washer in the garage that is adjacent to my kitchen. When the washer drains it backs up in my kitchen sink. I have used plunger with the washer vent and second sink drain covered creating a good vacuum. Used Mr. Plumber chemical in washer line. Still backing up in sink. Do I need to look for a vent valve?

Thanks

[massplumber2008]

Enelms...

Has this always occurred when draining the washing machine or is this new issue?

I see this happen quite a bit... especially where someone cut a new washing machine drain line into an existing 1.5" kitchen sink drain pipe.

If this is something that always happened and you have an 1.5" drain pipe then there may not be much you can do.

If this is something new and you only have an 1.5" drain pipe then you may get lucky by snaking the drain line and seeing how that works.

I would have you rent an electric hand-held snake or a medium snake machine (see picture) and snake the drain line to see what you can determine. Chemicals offer very little in the long run. Purchase a pair of safety goggles and leather gloves (Thanks to the Mr. plumber chemical.. ;) ) and use them while using the machine.

May be necessary to cut a cleanout into the drain pipe... may be able to access an existing cleanout, or may need to snake the drain from the vent coming out the garage roof (if not too pitched).

Anyway.. that's my thoughts. Let me know what you think here...

MARK


.

[ballengerb1]

I agree with Mark. Also, you can't really use a plunger on a vent line, it just isn;\'t going to break anything loose. Rodding the line is 2nd best to replacing the line with 3" PVC pipe. The 2009 plumbing code will require 3" pipe for washers because everything smaller has been causing too many problems.